The patrol from 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team spotted two stationary vehicles with seven dismounted individuals nearby and moved in closer to investigate. One vehicle attempted to drive off, crashed into the lead humvee in the patrol, and fled the area.

The remaining six men, who ran away from the van, scaled a fence and fled the scene. They were not located by the patrol.

The ambush was discovered by 3-7 Inf. Soldiers in the vicinity of a checkpoint they established to control access into the city from the south.

"The insurgents had two machine gun positions set up, hidden behind the guardrails," said Sgt. First Class Rony Michel, an acting platoon leader from C Company, 3-7 Inf. "It was unclear whether the ambush was intended for us or Iraqi Security Force Soldiers who operate in the area."